Trafo Power Solutions was established to cater for the growing appetite and scope for the application of dry-type transformers in Africa. These power solutions are suitable across a wide range of industry including mining.

The company offers a wide range of cast resin transformers from 160 kVA to 25 MVA with system voltages up to 52 kV with Class F or Class H insulation systems, as well as custom designed and manufactured mini substations, modular 
substations for underground or surface applications including temperature protection, surge protection, cooling, ventilation and earth fault protection.

Dry-type transformers have been around since early last century but, due to higher traditional manufacturing costs, were not as widely used. Today, this price differential is no longer significant, opening the door for users to benefit from the numerous benefits of dry-type transformers.

Among the advantages of dry-type transformer technology is that it is safer, as units can be installed indoors, in basements, or in other confined spaces. The dangers associated with oil cooled transformers requires this equipment to be located outdoors, invariably in a structure built specifically for this purpose. Even risks external to the unit itself, such as a fire in the building, precludes locating an oil-cooled transformer indoors.

While climate considerations in Africa’s mining sector have not demanded a special solution, dry-type transformers are gaining traction as their design and manufacturing advances have brought about price parity.

With the rise in safety awareness – across the globe and in all sectors – there has been a trend towards safer technologies. Dry-cooled trans-formers are categorised as F1 in terms of international fire resistance ratings, making them low risk as they are self-extinguishing and flame-retardant.

Reduced energy consumption is another factor that has attracted attention to these units in new markets, especially as electricity prices in South Africa have rocketed over the past decade.